The Council of Ministers has approved yet another extension (the fifteenth) to the excise duty cut: “But it’s not enough,” admits the Prime Minister. Legislation to speed up hydrocarbon extraction in Italy. Confindustria’s concerns over the lengthy delays (and the prospect of an early general election).

The bill has been passed by the Chamber of Deputies with 218 votes in favour and 6 against; the only opposition came from Luigi Marattin’s LibDem and Roberto Vannacci’s Futurists. The PD and FdI are celebrating (the Lega, to a lesser extent). A Film Agency will be established. Discussions have taken place regarding the composition of the committees responsible for allocating public funds and the need for ‘certainty’ for productions.

The Senate has approved the centre-right’s amendment: a fixed lead candidate and up to three preferences with alternating genders. Earlier in the day, the government had rejected the opposition’s sub-amendment regarding unrestricted preferences.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her senators had indicated they were open to the possibility of voting in favour of the bill proposed by the Democrats and the broad coalition. Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani were opposed. Following a meeting between the parties’ negotiators, the agreement prevented the majority from collapsing

The secretary’s decisive meeting with the northerners at his home fails to reach a conclusion. The Deputy Prime Minister wants to stay in power, whilst the regional governors are waiting for the voters to pull the plug. Fears of reprisals following the ‘pratone’ incident. And escape plans are being drawn up.

Even the rally organised to oppose the bill is split, with chants and flags in support of terrorism. Ascari (M5S): “I didn’t see them.” Meloni and the government’s embarrassment over the settlers

In the Senate, a vote is taking place on the amendment regarding preferential votes, but the President of the Senate is allowing the opposition to table sub-amendments, and the opposition is calling for them to be extended. The Democratic Party’s group leader said: “The Prime Minister must demonstrate consistency. Let’s remove the ‘locked’ list leaders. But will Forza Italia and the League agree?”